Posted on 07/27/2008 8:19:51 PM PDT by LdSentinal
The man accused of a mass church shooting this morning was described by his Powell neighbors as a helpful and kind man, but one who had issues with Christianity.
Jim D. Adkisson, 58, has been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, which killed one and injured eight others.
He is being held on $1 million bond.
More details as they develop online and in Monday's News Sentinel.
"He had his own sense of belief about religion, that's the impression I got of him," said neighbor Karen Massey. "We were talking one day when my daughter graduated from Bible college, and I told him I was a Christian, then he almost turned angry.
"He seemed to get angry at that."
According to Massey, Adkisson talked frequently about his parents who "made him go to church all his life ... he was forced to do that."
Adkisson has lived by himself in the neighborhood for four or five years, Massey said. She's lived there seven years.
He told neighbors that he had worked in a factory and driven a truck, but they weren't sure if he was still employed.
He is an avid motorcyclist and rides his bike up and down the road.
He goes by the name, "David," according to the neighbors.
"He only socialized with a few people," Massey said.
"He was very nice ... he's kind of quiet," she said.
Melissa Coker, a next-door neighbor, also expressed shock that he would be accused of such a violent.
She related how he recently helped change a tire on her car in the driveway.
"He was a very nice guy, he said he used to be a truck driver, but in the past six months to a year, he wasn't driving any more," Coker said. "From my understanding, he was retired."
He lives in a white basement duplex, with garages facing the street.
The yard was neatly mowed, and a water hose was coiled up in the driveway in front of the duplex.
Neighbors said he was the guy who would always help them, no matter what.
No one ever saw him with any weapons of any kind, Massey said.
"He's never bothered anyone," Massey said.
So the U U church isnt’ Christian. Wonder why he chose that one.
He was nice. Quiet, but nice.
There was that devil worship thing goin’ on, and he was as crazy as a turd beetle, but...
He kept mostly to himself.
Obviously the MSM is unaware of that fact.
They are playing it up as the same old “Christianity warps people and turns them into violent nuts” fallacy.
Thanks for posting this. Some interesting commentary about the man.
I’m sure there are many questions as to how and why - it sounds like there is a lot of disbelief among those who know him. It will be interesting to hear in the next few days if the perp says anything, and what if any motive/justification he had going on in his mind...
Prayers for the victims, family and community. Prayers also for the man that did this, and his friends and family.
Well, the “church” he chose is merely a social club to talk about religion or other things. It is “pomp and circumstance” with absolutely no substance.
I don’t know a single person who professes Christ who attends that church. That’s probably because Satanists and Atheists are considered of equal importance to their association.
Honestly, I don’t think a lot of people are really aware of the beliefs held by UU’s. Especially those outside Christianity who may assume that it’s just another ‘flavor’ of mainline Christianity.
Ignorance perhaps.
“He was very nice ... he’s kind of quiet,” she said.
But he did have this one little personality flaw.
“He was very nice ... he’s kind of quiet,” she said.
But he did have this one little personality flaw.
So...seems the accused killer is a Penn and Teller fan.
It wasn’t so good it needed to be posted twice, just a sticky key.
UU Joke:
“How many Unitarian Universalists does it take to change a light bulb?” “We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey you have found that a light bulb works for you, that is fine. You are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your personal relationship to your light bulb and present it next month at our annual light bulb Sunday service. We explore a number or light bulb traditions including incandescent, fluorescent, three-way, long-life and tinted; all of which are equally valid paths to spiritual luminescence.”
Unitarianism derived from Congregationalists, with its specific principle being rejection of the Trinity (thus Unitarian as opposed to Trinitarian). In the last century they have given up nearly all Christian beliefs, including resurrection. Universalism is, as they name implies, a sort of deism. Together they are sort of a Christian themed philosophical group.
I know one UU, and while many of them are NOT Christian (some even atheist), the man I know professes to believe in Christ, and considers himself a Christian (he was raised Catholic). From my understanding in discussions with him, they believe that all religions, and even some profound secular books/ideas/philosophies have value, and truth contained in them.
Here’s a brief overview from Beliefnet.com. Be aware that the UU church welcomes people of all faiths and belief systems, so while some may believe the things listed below, there are other members who may not.
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/80/story_8041_1.html
• Belief in Deity
Very diverse beliefs—Unitarian/Universalists welcome all deity beliefs as well as nontheistic beliefs. Some congregations are formed for those who share a common belief, e.g. Christianity.
• Incarnations
Very diverse beliefs, including belief in no incarnations, or that all are the embodiment of God. Some believe Christ is God’s Son, or not Son but “Wayshower.”
• Origin of Universe and Life
Diverse beliefs, but most believe in the Bible as symbolic and that natural processes account for origins.
• After Death
Diverse beliefs, but most believe that heaven and hell are not places but are symbolic. Some believe heaven and hell are states of consciousness either in life or continuing after death; some believe in reincarnation; some believe that afterlife is nonexistent or not known or not important, as actions in life are all that matter.
• Why Evil?
Most do not believe that humanity inherited original sin from Adam and Eve or that Satan actually exists. Most believe that God is good and made people inherently good but also with free will and an imperfect nature that leads some to immoral behavior. Diverse beliefs. Some believe wrong is committed when people distance themselves from God. Some believe in “karma,” that what goes around comes around. Some believe wrongdoing is a matter of human nature, psychology, sociology, etc.
• Salvation
Some believe in salvation through faith in God and Jesus Christ, along with doing good works and doing no harm to others. Many believe all will be saved, as God is good and forgiving. Some believe in reincarnation and the necessity to eliminate personal greed or to learn all of life’s lessons before achieving enlightenment or salvation. For some, the concepts of salvation or enlightenment are irrelevant or disbelieved.
• Undeserving Suffering
Diverse beliefs. Most Unitarians do not believe that Satan causes suffering. Some believe suffering is part of God’s plan, will, or design, even if we don’t immediately understand it. Some don’t believe in any spiritual reasons for suffering, and most take a humanistic approach to helping those in need.
• Contemporary Issues
The Unitarian Universalist Association’s stance is to protect the personal right to choose abortion. Other contemporary views include working for equality for homosexuals, gender equality, a secular approach to divorce and remarriage, working to end poverty, promoting peace and nonviolence, and environmental protection.
Anyone can google.
U U are outside the realms of recognized Christianity.
They don’t even claim to be Christians.
UU 101:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unitarian_Universalism
“Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion that encompasses many faith traditions. Unitarian Universalists include people who identify as Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, Pagans, Atheists, Agnostics, Humanists, and others. As there is no official Unitarian Universalist creed, Unitarian Universalists are free to search for truth on many paths.
“To quote the Rev. Marta Flanagan, “We uphold the free search for truth. We will not be bound by a statement of belief. We do not ask anyone to subscribe to a creed. We say ours is a non-creedal religion. Ours is a free faith.”
“Although we uphold shared principles, individual Unitarian Universalists have varied beliefs about everything from scripture to rituals to God.
“There are seven principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote:
The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
***The goal of world community*** with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.”
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